Events
Apna joins hands with IIM Sambalpur to foster innovation

Apna joins hands with IIM Sambalpur to foster innovation and entrepreneurship
Strategic alliance aims to ignite transformative ventures and support startup ecosystem growth
National, 04 March, 2024: India’s leading jobs and professional networking platform, apna.co, has
signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Indian Institute of Management, Sambalpur.
The MOU signifies a strategic partnership aimed at fostering innovation, research, and entrepreneurship
through collaborative projects. MOU signing took place during the 100 Cube Startup Conclave organized
by IIM Sambalpur. It was formally signed in the presence of the Hon’ble Union Minister for Education,
Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan.
The collaboration between apna.co and IIM Sambalpur aims to explore a wide range of innovation and
research areas, spanning textiles, arts & culture, agriculture, healthcare, financial & digital inclusivity,
tribal entrepreneurship, and sustainability. Their joint focus extends across industries, including
technological research and development, sustainable solutions, FMCG, logistics, digital marketing etc.
Leveraging strategic partnerships with alumni networks, industry associations, and government agencies,
they aim to bolster innovation and entrepreneurship. This partnership underscores a commitment to
sustainable business practices and inclusive growth within the startup ecosystem.
Nirmit Parikh, CEO & Founder of apna, expressed his enthusiasm, stating – “In today’s dynamic business
landscape, collaboration is key to driving innovation and growth. Our partnership with IIM Sambalpur
reflects our commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and driving positive change in the industry.
Together, we look forward to creating transformative initiatives that benefit society at large.”
Prof. Mahadeo Jaiswal, Director of IIM Sambalpur, said – “We are thrilled to partner with apna as this
collaboration will serve as a catalyst for the development of the entrepreneurial ecosystem and a
collaborative effort towards ecosystem development. We firmly believe that by leveraging our collective
strengths and resources, we will create a more robust and supportive environment for startups and
entrepreneurs to thrive. This partnership marks a significant step towards fostering innovation and
entrepreneurship, and we are excited about the transformative impact it will have on the industry.”
Aligned with apna’s mission to empower professionals and drive socio-economic growth, this
collaboration with IIM Sambalpur aims to leverage expertise and resources to craft impactful initiatives
benefiting the wider community. The MOU signing occurred during the 100 Cube Startup Conclave
organized by IIM Sambalpur, underscoring the collaboration’s importance in nurturing India’s startup
ecosystem.
As apna and IIM Sambalpur unite in this collaborative endeavor, they are committed to driving
innovation, research, and entrepreneurship for the betterment of society. Together, they envision a
future where startups and entrepreneurs thrive in a nurturing and supportive ecosystem. By
amalgamating expertise and resources, they endeavor to spearhead impactful initiatives fostering
sustainable growth and driving positive change within the industry.
About apna.co
Founded in 2019, apna.co is India’s largest jobs and professional networking platform dedicated
to helping India’s rising workforce unlock unique professional networking and skilling
opportunities. apna.co is on a mission to enable livelihoods for billions in India. With more than
51 million users in 600+ cities and counting and more than 500,000 recruiters across SMBs and
enterprises that trust the platform, India has a new destination to discover relevant
opportunities.
Art
Cultural Festival & Face of Runway 2025 – A Grand Celebration of Talent and Tradition

The Cultural Festival & Face of Runway (CFFR) was successfully held on 18th October 2025 at the Lajpat Bhawan Auditorium, marking yet another vibrant celebration of art, culture, and fashion.

The event was graced by distinguished personalities, including Chief Guest Munish Tamang, VIP Guests Amit R. Agarwal, Junaid Husain Khan, and Mohan Karki, Celebrity Guest Dr. Sunil Parashar, and Special Guest Rajni Subba.



Organized by Jitika Devi, the festival beautifully combined cultural performances with a glamorous runway show, showcasing diverse talent from across the region.

Speaking about the event, Jitika Devi shared,
“I wanted to give a perfect Deepavali gift to various talents — so that, like traditional Deepavali lamps, they glitter and illuminate the world of arts and culture. To this effect, I launched this Cultural Festival and Face of Runway, which is now celebrating its 2nd edition.”


Jitika, who launched her clothing brand Jitikd in 2022, announced that from 2025 onwards, she plans to organize CFFR every year. This year’s edition, themed around Dashain Tihar, holds special significance as it promotes rich cultural heritage while offering a perfect platform for aspiring young artists and models to shine.

Adding to the glamour of the evening, Glamour Mantra partnered as the official media partner, capturing the essence of the event and amplifying its reach to a wider audience.
The Cultural Festival & Face of Runway 2025 truly lived up to its promise — blending culture, creativity, and celebration under one roof.
Events
Spykar’s Palladium store turns into party hub for ‘Daur Apna Hai’ Nite

Spykar’s Palladium store turns into party hub for ‘Daur Apna Hai’ Nite – rappers, celebrities rock the dance floor
Rappers Wicked Sunny, Kaam Bhaari, Sammohit, Mohit Hiranandani, Shanaya Makani and over 100 top creators come together to celebrate youth, music, culture and denim
Mumbai, October 13, 2025: This weekend, Spykar turned its Palladium store into a party hub, hosting an in-store live performance with rapperWicked Sunny. The star-studded evening hosted by Mohit Hiranandani saw rappers Kaam Bhaari, Sammohit along with actors like Prabhat Chaudhary, Shanaya Makani, and over 100 top digital creators and lifestyle influencers who came dressed in their boldest fits.
Daur Apna Hai, Spykar’s latest campaign, is a celebration of India’s young and vibrant spirit, confident, creative, and unapologetically original. The campaign launched with a rap anthem featuring Wicked Sunny, Dharmik, and the Vixens Crew, capturing the grit and ambition of today’s youth. Echoing Spykar’s belief that this is India’s time to shine, the anthem has become a cultural statement, uniting music and fashion as powerful forms of self-expression.
“What we witnessed was more than a performance, it was a movement,” said Sanjay Vakharia, CEO, Spykar. “Having a banger and high-octane party inside a retail store just shows how powerful India’s youth culture truly is when music and fashion unite. Spykar has always represented that young and restless spirit.”
The event marked a cultural moment where music, fashion, and youth expression collided, as fans poured in to experience Daur Apna Hai, Spykar’s viral anthem that has become the new voice of hustle and individuality. The evening also welcomed winners of Spykar’s Instagram contest, who earned their way to this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The Spykar Palladium in-store concert set a new benchmark for experiential retail in India, proving that a denim store can be more than just a place to shop, it can be a stage for self-expression. Amid flashing denim walls and a crowd that spilled beyond the store, Wicked Sunny owned the stage with his infectious energy, delivering an unforgettable performance that had every attendee vibing and capturing moments for the ’gram.
Events
𝗨𝘁𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗮 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗮 Wins 𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘂𝗿 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 at the 𝗛𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱

Mumbai, 16th September 2025: Uttara Talapatra, Founder of Magical Blends and a certified Skincare Coach, has been honoured with the Best Entrepreneur Award at the prestigious Her Rising Awards 2025, held on 13th September at Four Seasons, Mumbai.

The Her Rising Awards celebrate women achievers across industries who have demonstrated excellence, risen as leaders in their fields, and inspired countless others on their career journeys. Organised by HerKey, India’s largest AI-powered platform for women’s career growth, the initiative provides women with a safe and supportive community to pursue their aspirations and return to work after career breaks.

A trailblazer in the beauty and personal care space, Uttara has turned vision into action by building impactful businesses and shaping the ecosystem with innovation and purpose. With nearly two decades of experience across leading organisations such as L’Oréal, Unilever, and Raymond Consumer Care, she brought deep expertise in beauty and D2C business when she launched Magical Blends in 2024. In just a year, the brand has already secured a patented skincare regime, setting new benchmarks in a highly competitive industry.
Highlighting her win as just the beginning of a larger journey, Uttara shares, “My association with HerKey has been an extremely positive one over the last six months. What started as a small conversation about how to best care for one’s skin, quickly morphed into a much larger discussion about self-care, building confidence and making one’s mark in the workforce as well as starting as an entrepreneur.”
She further added, “It has been a pleasure to interact with the diverse members on the panel, and of course with the HerKey team itself, which is unreservedly supportive. I hope we can continue to collaborate on this diverse platform and continue to help other women reach their career aspirations. Thank you so much to the HerKey team for this award, it has been an absolute honour!”
Uttara’s recognition at the Her Rising Awards 2025 underscores her leadership, creativity, and determination to build a brand rooted in authenticity, efficacy, and expertise — inspiring the next generation of women entrepreneurs.
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